Plenary Speaker

Electrostatic Precipitation of Airborne Pathogens: Efforts for Efficient Sampling from the Air

Dr. Jungho Hwang

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Korea

Abstract - TBA

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Next-Generation Air Pollution Control Technology: Integration of ESP-Plasma with Catalysis

Dr. Moo-Been Chang

Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Taiwan

Abstract

Industrial air pollution has evolved from predominantly particulate matter (PM) emissions toward complex mixtures containing NOx, SOx, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic organic pollutants, and greenhouse gases (GHGs). While conventional air pollution control devices (APCDs) effectively remove particulate and acid gases, modern emission streams present multi-pollutant challenges that exceed the capabilities of single-function technologies. Consequently, integrated emission control strategies are required to simultaneously address particulate, toxic, and climate-relevant pollutants. Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) remain widely implemented due to their high PM removal efficiency, low pressure drop, and industrial scalability. Operating through particle charging and electrostatic collection, ESPs efficiently capture PM. However, they show limited effectiveness in removing gas-phase pollutants such as VOCs and greenhouse gases. In addition, heterogeneous reactions on collected fly ash under specific temperature conditions may promote the formation of toxic compounds such as dioxin, while ultrafine particles remain difficult to control using standalone dry ESP systems. Toxic pollutants such as dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present significant environmental risks due to their persistence and bioaccumulation potential. On the other hand, stable molecules including CO2, CH4 and NOx require energy-intensive activation, making conventional thermal and catalytic treatments less sustainable. Plasma catalysis has emerged as a promising advanced air pollution control technology capable of overcoming these limitations. Non-thermal plasma generates energetic electrons that activate gas molecules at low bulk temperatures, producing reactive species that enhance pollutant decomposition/conversion. Coupling plasma with appropriate catalyst further improves reaction selectivity and energy efficiency through plasma–catalyst synergy. This work proposes an integrated ESP–plasma–catalyst system in which ESP provides primary particulate removal, plasma activates gas-phase pollutants, and catalysts promote selective conversion toward environmentally favorable products. Such integration enables simultaneous multi-pollutant control, improved energy utilization, and reduced toxic by-product formation, offering a promising pathway toward next-generation sustainable emission control aligned with carbon neutrality goals. Keywords: Electrostatic precipitator, Plasma catalysis, Integrated emission control, Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Greenhouse gas mitigation

Technological Trajectories in Electrostatic Precipitation: Mitigation of High-Resistivity Particulate Phenomena and Advancement of Non-Thermal Plasma Applications

Dr. Akira Mizuno

Prof. Emeritus, Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan

Abstract

Electrostatic precipitation (ESP) has long been a core technology for controlling industrial particulate emissions. The International Conference on Electrostatic Precipitation (ICESP) has played a central role in disseminating knowledge and addressing persistent physicochemical and operational challenges. Major technological advances include the suppression of back corona discharge during the collection of high resistivity dust, as well as improvements in collection efficiency for submicron sulfuric acid aerosols.

Global decarbonization policies have reduced reliance on coalfired power generation, leading to a plateau in the demand for largescale ESP installations. Conversely, the COVID19 pandemic renewed interest in aerosol science and bioaerosol mitigation, underscoring the relevance of particle control technologies for public health protection. Fundamental research in ESP physics has also accelerated the development of nonthermal plasma systems for gas phase pollutant decomposition, plasma assisted chemical conversion, and sterilization.

This presentation reviews the technological evolution of ESPs in managing high resistivity particulate behavior and highlights how foundational studies on electrical discharge phenomena and particle transport have expanded into next generation ESP designs and advanced plasma based environmental and chemical processing applications.